By Rick Gables
Fox debuts its new drama series L.A.’s Finest on Monday, Sept. 21, at 8 p.m. ET/PT. From the universe of the Jerry Bruckheimer’s “Bad Boys” franchise, this one-hour series follows Syd Burnett (Gabrielle Union), last seen in Miami taking down a drug cartel, who has seemingly left her complicated past behind to become an LAPD detective. Paired with a new partner, Nancy McKenna (Jessica Alba), a working mom with an equally complex history, Syd is forced to confront how her unapologetic lifestyle may be masking a greater personal secret. Taking on the most dangerous criminals in Los Angeles while skirting the rules, and speed limits, Syd and Nancy become a force to be reckoned with – on the streets, and in each other’s lives.
HBO’s socially distanced comedy Coastal Elites premieres Saturday, Sept. 12, at 8 p.m. ET/PT. The comedic satire tells contemporary stories of characters breaking down and breaking through as they grapple with politics, culture, and the pandemic. Bette Midler, Kaitlyn Dever, Dan Levy, Sarah Paulson and Issa Rae star in this special presentation that explores our current world of deeply divided politics and the universal pursuit of human connection. Originally conceived for the Public Theater in New York, Coastal Elites took the leap from the stage to the screen at the beginning of the pandemic and evolved in real time as the unprecedented events of 2020 unfolded. Filming took place earlier this summer under quarantine guidelines, spotlighting five distinct and impassioned points-of-view across the United States. When the shutdown forces these characters to cope in isolation, they react with frustration, hilarity and introspection. Miriam Nessler (Midler) is a long-time teacher in the New York City public school system, who loves her students, the New York Times and the theater, and who finds herself in police custody. Sharynn Tarrows (Dever) is a young nurse from Wyoming who flies to New York to volunteer at a hospital at the height of the area’s COVID-19 crisis. Mark Hesterman (Levy) is a young actor in West Hollywood videoconferencing with his therapist at a moment of peak career and personal stress. Clarissa Montgomery (Paulson) is a YouTube personality filming episode 28 of her Mindful Meditations, hoping to soothe, inspire and heal her followers. Callie Josephson (Rae) is a well-connected philanthropist whose prep school network leads her to the highest levels of government.